Method and system for contact separation detection gesture

ABSTRACT

A computing device includes a housing and a display assembly having a screen. The housing at least partially circumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable. A first touch sensor is provided with a first portion of the housing. For example, the first touch sensor may be provided on a sidewall, a front surface, or a back surface of the housing. A processor is provided within the housing to detect a first user interaction and a second user interaction with the first touch sensor. The first user interaction corresponds with a user making contact with the first touch sensor, and the second user interaction corresponds with the user releasing contact with the first touch sensor. The processor further executes a first set of instructions in response to detecting the second user interaction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Examples described herein relate to a computing device that isresponsive to contact-separation inputs detected via a touch-sensitivehousing.

BACKGROUND

An electronic personal display is a mobile electronic device thatdisplays information to a user. While an electronic personal display isgenerally capable of many of the functions of a personal computer, auser can typically interact directly with an electronic personal displaywithout the use of a keyboard that is separate from or coupled to butdistinct from the electronic personal display itself. Some examples ofelectronic personal displays include mobile digital devices/tabletcomputers such (e.g., Apple iPad®, Microsoft® Surface™, Samsung GalaxyTab® and the like), handheld multimedia smartphones (e.g., AppleiPhone®, Samsung Galaxy S®, and the like), and handheld electronicreaders (e.g., Amazon Kindle®, Barnes and Noble Nook®, Kobo Aura HD, andthe like).

An electronic reader, also known as an e-reader device, is an electronicpersonal display that is used for reading electronic books (eBooks),electronic magazines, and other digital content. For example, digitalcontent of an e-book is displayed as alphanumeric characters and/orgraphic images on a display of an e-reader such that a user may read thedigital content much in the same way as reading the analog content of aprinted page in a paper-based book. An e-reader device provides aconvenient format to store, transport, and view a large collection ofdigital content that would otherwise potentially take up a large volumeof space in traditional paper format.

In some instances, e-reader devices are purpose-built devices designedto perform especially well at displaying readable content. For example,a purpose built e-reader device includes a display that reduces glare,performs well in highly lit conditions, and/or mimics the look of texton actual paper. While such purpose built e-reader devices excel atdisplaying content for a user to read, they can also perform otherfunctions, such as displaying images, emitting audio, recording audio,and web surfing, among others.

There also exist numerous kinds of consumer devices that can receiveservices and resources from a network service. Such devices can operateapplications or provide other functionality that links the device to aparticular account of a specific service. For example, e-reader devicestypically link to an online bookstore, and media playback devices ofteninclude applications which enable the user to access an online medialibrary. In this context, the user accounts can enable the user toreceive the full benefit and functionality of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for utilizing applications and providinge-book services on a computing device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an e-reader device or other electronicpersonal display device, for use with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an e-reader device capable of detectingcontact-separation inputs, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an e-reader device capable of detectingcontact-separation inputs, in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an e-reader system for displaying paginated content,according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of operating an e-reader device based oncontact-separation inputs, according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein provide for a computing device thatinterprets a specific kind of user action as input in the context ofdisplaying paginated content such as an e-book. More specifically, theinput may be provided by a user releasing contact with a touch-sensitiveregion of the computing device. For example, the user may establish aninitial contact with the touch-sensitive region when holding the devicein one or both hands. The user may subsequently effect a page turnand/or other operations on the computing device by lifting one or morefingers off of the touch-sensitive region.

According to some embodiments, a computing device includes a housing anda display assembly having a screen. The housing at least partiallycircumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable. A first touchsensor is provided with a portion of the housing. For example, the firsttouch sensor may be provided on a sidewall, a front surface, or a backsurface of the housing. A processor is provided within the housing todetect a first user interaction and a second user interaction with thefirst touch sensor. The first user interaction corresponds with a usermaking contact with the first touch sensor and the second userinteraction corresponds with the user releasing contact with the firsttouch sensor. The processor further executes a first set of instructionsin response to detecting the second user interaction.

The first set of instructions executed by the processor may cause achange in state of the display screen. For example, the firstinstructions may include: instructions for powering on or powering ofthe display; instructions for launching or closing an application;instructions for invoking or closing a system menu; and/or instructionsfor performing a page turn.

For some embodiments, a second touch sensor may be provided with asecond portion of the housing. For example, the processor may detect athird user interaction and a fourth user interaction with the secondtouch sensor. The third user interaction corresponds with the usermaking contact with the second touch sensor and the fourth userinteraction corresponds with the user releasing contact with the secondtouch sensor. The processor may further execute a second set ofinstructions in response to detecting the fourth user interaction. Forexample, the processor may perform a forward page transition in responseto detecting the second user interaction, and may perform a backwardpage transition in response to detecting the fourth user interaction.

Among other benefits, examples described herein enable a personaldisplay device such as an e-reader device to receive contact-separationinputs via a touch-sensitive housing. More specifically, a usertypically holds an e-reader device with one or two hands, such that anumber of the user's fingers are in constant contact with (e.g.,gripping) the device housing. Detecting user inputs based on the userreleasing contact with (e.g., lifting a finger off) the housing allowse-reader operations (such as page turns) to be initiated in a moreefficient and/or ergonomic manner.

One or more embodiments described herein provide that methods,techniques and actions performed by a computing device are performedprogrammatically, or as a computer-implemented method. Programmaticallymeans through the use of code, or computer-executable instructions. Aprogrammatically performed step may or may not be automatic.

One or more embodiments described herein may be implemented usingprogrammatic modules or components. A programmatic module or componentmay include a program, a subroutine, a portion of a program, or asoftware or a hardware component capable of performing one or morestated tasks or functions. As used herein, a module or component canexist on a hardware component independently of other modules orcomponents. Alternatively, a module or component can be a shared elementor process of other modules, programs or machines.

Furthermore, one or more embodiments described herein may be implementedthrough instructions that are executable by one or more processors.These instructions may be carried on a computer-readable medium.Machines shown or described with figures below provide examples ofprocessing resources and computer-readable mediums on which instructionsfor implementing embodiments of the invention can be carried and/orexecuted. In particular, the numerous machines shown with embodiments ofthe invention include processor(s) and various forms of memory forholding data and instructions. Examples of computer-readable mediumsinclude permanent memory storage devices, such as hard drives onpersonal computers or servers. Other examples of computer storagemediums include portable storage units, such as CD or DVD units, flashor solid state memory (such as carried on many cell phones and consumerelectronic devices) and magnetic memory. Computers, terminals, networkenabled devices (e.g., mobile devices such as cell phones) are allexamples of machines and devices that utilize processors, memory, andinstructions stored on computer-readable mediums. Additionally,embodiments may be implemented in the form of computer programs, or acomputer usable carrier medium capable of carrying such a program.

System Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for utilizing applications and providinge-book services on a computing device, according to an embodiment. In anexample of FIG. 1, system 100 includes an electronic display device,shown by way of example as an e-reader device 110, and a network service120. The network service 120 can include multiple servers and othercomputing resources that provide various services in connection with oneor more applications that are installed on the e-reader device 110. Byway of example, in one implementation, the network service 120 canprovide e-book services which communicate with the e-reader device 110.The e-book services provided through network service 120 can, forexample, include services in which e-books are sold, shared, downloadedand/or stored. More generally, the network service 120 can providevarious other content services, including content rendering services(e.g., streaming media) or other network-application environments orservices.

The e-reader device 110 can correspond to any electronic personaldisplay device on which applications and application resources (e.g.,e-books, media files, documents) can be rendered and consumed. Forexample, the e-reader device 110 can correspond to a tablet or atelephony/messaging device (e.g., smart phone). In one implementation,for example, e-reader device 110 can run an e-reader application thatlinks the device to the network service 120 and enables e-books providedthrough the service to be viewed and consumed. In anotherimplementation, the e-reader device 110 can run a media playback orstreaming application that receives files or streaming data from thenetwork service 120. By way of example, the e-reader device 110 can beequipped with hardware and software to optimize certain applicationactivities, such as reading electronic content (e.g., e-books). Forexample, the e-reader device 110 can have a tablet-like form factor,although variations are possible. In some cases, the e-reader device 110can also have an E-ink display.

In additional detail, the network service 120 can include a deviceinterface 128, a resource store 122 and a user account store 124. Theuser account store 124 can associate the e-reader device 110 with a userand with an account 125. The account 125 can also be associated with oneor more application resources (e.g., e-books), which can be stored inthe resource store 122. As described further, the user account store 124can retain metadata for individual accounts 125 to identify resourcesthat have been purchased or made available for consumption for a givenaccount. The e-reader device 110 may be associated with the user account125, and multiple devices may be associated with the same account. Asdescribed in greater detail below, the e-reader device 110 can storeresources (e.g., e-books) that are purchased or otherwise made availableto the user of the e-reader device 110, as well as to archive e-booksand other digital content items that have been purchased for the useraccount 125, but are not stored on the particular computing device.

With reference to an example of FIG. 1, e-reader device 110 can includea display screen 116 and a housing 118. In an embodiment, the displayscreen 116 is touch-sensitive, to process touch inputs includinggestures (e.g., swipes). Additionally, the housing 118 may be integratedwith one or more touch sensors 138 to provide a touch sensing region 132on a surface of the housing 118. For some embodiments, the one or moretouch sensors 138 may include capacitive sensors that can sense ordetect a human body's capacitance as input. In the example of FIG. 1,the touch sensing region 132 is provided on a sidewall 119 of thehousing 118. In a particular implementation, the touch sensing region132 can correspond to a strip of the housing 118 that occupies a portionof an overall length of the housing sidewall 119.

According to some embodiments, the e-reader device 100 includes housingsensor logic 135 to detect and interpret user input made throughinteraction with the housing touch sensors 138. By way of example, thehousing sensor logic 135 can detect a user making contact with, andsubsequently releasing, the touch sensing region 132. For someembodiments, the housing sensor logic 135 may interpret the release ofcontact (e.g., contact separation) with the touch sensing region 132 asa particular type of user input. Specifically, the user input may beinterpreted as a change in state of the display 116. For example, a usermay release the sensing region 132 to power on and/or power off thedisplay 116. Alternatively, or in addition, the user may release thesensing region 132 to invoke and/or close a system menu or sub-menu.Still further, the user may launch and/or close applications by lettinggo of the touch sensing region 132. In the context of an e-bookapplication, the user can release the touch sensing region 132 to, forexample, mark a page or a passage.

In some embodiments, the e-reader device 110 includes features forproviding and enhancing functionality related to displaying paginatedcontent. The e-reader device can include page transitioning logic 115,which enables the user to transition through paginated content. Thee-reader device can display pages from e-books, and enable the user totransition from one page state to another. In particular, an e-book canprovide content that is rendered sequentially in pages, and the e-bookcan display page states in the form of single pages, multiple pages orportions thereof. Accordingly, a given page state can coincide with, forexample, a single page, or two or more pages displayed at once. The pagetransitioning logic 115 can operate to enable the user to transitionfrom a given page state to another page state. In some implementations,the page transitioning logic 115 enables single page transitions,chapter transitions, or cluster transitions (multiple pages at onetime).

The page transitioning logic 115 can be responsive to various kinds ofinterfaces and actions in order to enable page transitioning. In oneimplementation, the user can signal a page transition event totransition page states by, for example, interacting with the touchsensing region 132. For example, the user can release a particularportion of the touch sensing region 132 (e.g., by lifting a fingergripping the top half of the sensing region 132 or lifting a fingergripping the bottom half of the sensing region 132) to indicate asequential direction of a page transition. In variations, the user canspecify different kinds of page transitioning input (e.g., single pageturns, multiple page turns, chapter turns) through different kinds ofinput. Additionally, the page turn input of the user can be providedwith a magnitude to indicate a magnitude (e.g., number of pages) in thetransition of the page state. For example, a user may hold a finger offthe touch sensing region 132 for a duration of time in order to cause acluster or chapter page state transition, while a brief release (andreturn to contact) with the same region can effect a single page statetransition (e.g., from one page to a next in sequence). In anotherexample, a user can specify page turns of different kinds or magnitudesthrough single releases, sequenced releases or patterned releases of thetouch sensing region 132.

Hardware Description

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an e-reader device 200 or otherelectronic personal display device, for use with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. In an example of FIG. 2, an e-reader device 200 cancorrespond to, for example, the device 110 as described above withrespect to FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 2, e-reader device 200includes a processor 210, a network interface 220, a display 230, one ormore housing sensor components 240, and a memory 250.

The processor 210 can implement functionality using instructions storedin the memory 250. Additionally, in some implementations, the processor210 utilizes the network interface 220 to communicate with the networkservice 120 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the e-reader device 200 canaccess the network service 120 to receive various kinds of resources(e.g., digital content items such as e-books, configuration files,account information), as well as to provide information (e.g., useraccount information, service requests etc.). For example, e-readerdevice 200 can receive application resources 221, such as e-books ormedia files, that the user elects to purchase or otherwise download fromthe network service 120. The application resources 221 that aredownloaded onto the e-reader device 200 can be stored in the memory 250.

In some implementations, the display 230 can correspond to, for example,a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) displaythat illuminates in order to provide content generated from processor210. In some implementations, the display 230 can be touch-sensitive. Insome variations, the display 230 can correspond to an electronic papertype display, which mimics conventional paper in the manner in whichcontent is displayed. Examples of such display technologies includeelectrophoretic displays, electrowetting displays, and electrofluidicdisplays.

The processor 210 can receive input from various sources, including thehousing sensor components 240, the display 230, and/or other inputmechanisms (e.g., buttons, keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc.). Withreference to examples described herein, the processor 210 can respond toinput 231 from the housing sensor components 240. In some embodiments,the processor 210 responds to inputs 231 from the housing sensorcomponents 240 in order to facilitate or enhance e-book activities suchas page turning and/or page transitions.

In some embodiments, the memory 250 may store housing sensor logic 211that monitors for user interactions detected through the housing sensorcomponents 240, and further processes the user interactions as aparticular input or type of input. In an alternative embodiment, thehousing sensor logic 211 may be integrated with the housing sensorcomponents 240. For example, the housing sensor components 240 can beprovided as a modular component that includes integrated circuits orother hardware logic, and such resources can provide some or all of thehousing sensor logic (see also housing sensor logic 135 of FIG. 1). Forexample, integrated circuits of the housing sensor components 240 canmonitor for contact separation (e.g., touch and release) and/or processthe release of contact with a touch sensing region of the housing asbeing a particular type of input. In variations, some or all of thehousing sensor logic 211 may be implemented with the processor 210(which utilizes instructions stored in the memory 250), or with analternative processing resource.

In one implementation, the housing sensor logic 211 includes detectionlogic 213 and contact separation logic 215. The detection logic 213implements operations to monitor for user contact on a surface of thehousing coinciding with placement of the sensor. The contact separationlogic 215 detects and correlates a contact separation (e.g., fingerliftoff) as a particular type of input or user action. For someembodiments, the contact separation logic 215 may correlate a contactseparation from a first set of touch sensors (and/or first sensingregion) with a first type of input, and may correlate a contactseparation from a second set of touch sensors (and/or second sensingregion) with a second type of input. For example, a finger liftoff withrespect to a first set of touch sensors may be interpreted as a forwardpage transition, whereas a finger liftoff with respect to a second setof touch sensors may be interpreted as a backward page transition.

For some embodiments, the detection logic 213 may register a number offingers that are initially in contact with a touch sensing region. Forexample, if a user places four fingers over a touch sensing region ofthe e-reader device 200, the detection logic 213 may determine an inputcapacitance associated with those four fingers. Accordingly, the contactseparation logic 215 may detect a contact separation from the touchsensing region if any of the previously registered fingers are no longerin contact with the touch sensing region. For example, if the user liftsoff any one of the four fingers from the touch sensing region of thee-reader device 200, the detection logic 213 may detect a new (e.g.,lower) input capacitance associated with the remaining three fingersstill in contact with the touch sensing region. The contact separationlogic 215 may interpret the drop in capacitance as a contact-separationinput.

E-Book Housing Configurations

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example of an e-reader device 300 capable ofdetecting contact-separation inputs, in accordance with someembodiments. The e-reader device 300 includes a housing 310 having anumber of surfaces 301-307. More specifically, the housing 310 includesa back surface 301, sidewalls 302-304 (although not shown, the device300 may further include a fourth sidewall opposite sidewall 303), and afront surface 306. The e-reader device 300 can be substantially tabularor rectangular, so as to have a front surface that is substantiallyoccupied by a display screen 320 so as to enhance content viewing. Morespecifically, the front surface 306 may be in the shape of a bezelsurrounding the display screen 320. The display screen 320 can be partof a display assembly, and can be touch sensitive. For example, thedisplay screen 320 can be provided as a component of a modular displayassembly that is touch-sensitive and integrated with housing 310 duringa manufacturing and assembly process.

One or more touch sensing regions 330A-330C may be provided on variousportions of the housing 310. Specifically, the touch sensing regions330A-330C may coincide with the integration of touch-sensors with thehousing 310. For some embodiments, each of the touch sensing regions330A-330C may be provided in regions of the housing 310 that areaccessible by the user (e.g., within reach of the user's finger) whileholding the device 300 in one hand. For example, touch sensing region330A may be provided on a sidewall (e.g., sidewall 304) of the housing310 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3A); touch sensing region 330B may beprovided on the front surface 306 of the housing 310 (e.g., as shown inFIG. 3B); and touch sensing region 330C may be provided on the backsurface 301 of the housing 310 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3C).Specifically, the touch sensing region 330A may substantially encompassa surface of the sidewall 330A that a user contacts (e.g., with one ormore fingers) in order to grip and/or hold the device 300. Similarly,the touch sensing region 330B may come into contact with a user's thumb,and the touch sensing region 330C may come into contact with a user'sindex finger, while gripping and/or holding the device 300.

According to embodiments, the e-reader device 300 can integrate one ormore types of touch-sensitive technologies in order to providetouch-sensitivity on both the touch sensing regions 330A-330C and on thedisplay screen 320. It should be appreciated that a variety ofwell-known touch sensing technologies may be utilized to providetouch-sensitivity at either the sensing regions 330A-330C and/or on thedisplay screen 320. By way of example, touch sensors used with the touchsensing regions 330A-330C or display screen 320 can utilize resistivetouch sensors; capacitive touch sensors (using self and/or mutualcapacitance); inductive touch sensors; and/or infrared touch sensors.For example, sensing regions 330A-330C can be employed using resistivesensors, which can respond to pressure applied to the surface of thehousing 310 in areas coinciding with respective touch sensing regions330A-330C. In a variation, the touch sensing regions 330A-330C can beimplemented using a grid pattern of electrical elements which can detectcapacitance inherent in human skin. Alternatively, the touch sensingregions 330A-330C can be implemented using a grid pattern of electricalelements which are placed on or just beneath the surface of the housing310, and which deform sufficiently on contact to detect touch from anobject such as a finger. More generally, touch-sensing technologies forimplementing the touch sensing regions 330A-330C (and/or display screen320) can employ resistive touch sensors, capacitive touch sensors (usingself and/or mutual capacitance), inductive touch sensors, and/orinfrared sensors.

Additionally, the touch sensing regions 330A-330C (as well as thedisplay screen 320) can be equipped to detect multiple simultaneoustouches. For example, with reference to an example of FIG. 3A, aprocessor of the e-reader device 300 can process input from the touchsensing region 330A in order to be responsive to (or distinctly detect)a user simultaneously lifting off multiple fingers (e.g., index fingerand middle finger) from the sidewall 304 of the housing 310. Theconcurrent release of multiple fingers may be detected by a change incapacitance of one or more touch sensors of the touch sensing region330A. For example, lifting off multiple fingers may cause a greaterchange in the detected capacitance than lifting off a single finger. Theuser may lift multiple fingers off the sidewall 304 of the e-readerdevice 300, concurrently, as a form of input. For example, theconcurrent release can be interpreted as a specific type of input (e.g.,multiple-contact separation) or as a general input (e.g., contactseparation).

It should be noted that some embodiments may include more or fewer touchsensing regions than those shown with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C. Forexample, in some embodiments, the e-reader device 300 may include onlyone of the touch sensing regions 330A, 330B, or 330C. In otherembodiments, the e-reader device 300 may include two or more of thetouch sensing regions 330A-330C. While the examples of FIGS. 3A-3Cillustrate three discrete touch-sensing regions 330A-330C on the surfaceof the housing 310, variations can provide for other surfaces of thehousing 310 to be integrated with touch sensors in order to enabletouch-sensitivity at any location of, for example, the front, back,and/or sides of the device 300.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an e-reader device 400 capable of detectingcontact-separation inputs, in accordance with other embodiments.Specifically, the e-reader device 400 may include one or more pairs oftouch sensing regions 432A-434A and/or 432B-434B. As described above,the touch sensing regions 432A-434A and 432B-434B may coincide with theintegration of touch sensors with the housing 310. It should beappreciated that a variety of well-known touch sensing technologies maybe utilized to provide touch-sensitivity at any of the sensing regions432A, 434A, 432B, and/or 434B (e.g., as describe above with respect toFIGS. 3A-3C). For some embodiments, each pair of teach sensing regions432A-434B and 432B-434B may be provided in regions of the housing 310that are accessible by the user (e.g., within reach of the user'sfingers) while holding the device 400 in two hands.

With reference to FIG. 4A, the pair of touch sensing regions 432A-434Aare provided on the front surface 306 of the housing 310. For someembodiments, the touch sensing regions 432A-434A may be activated by auser's thumbs when operating the device 400 with two hands. For example,while gripping the device 400 with both hands, touch sensing region 434Amay be in contact with a user's left thumb and touch sensing region 432Amay be in contact with the user's right thumb. Each of the touch sensingregions 432A and 434A may be responsive to contact-separation inputs bythe user. More specifically, a processor of the e-reader device 400 mayinterpret contact separation from each of the touch sensing regions 432Aand 434A as a particular (e.g., different) type of input. For example,releasing contact with touch sensing region 434A (e.g., by lifting theuser's left thumb) may trigger a first type of input (e.g., backwardpage transition), while releasing contact with touch sensing region 432A(e.g., by lifting the user's right thumb) may trigger a second type ofinput (e.g., forward page transition). For other embodiments, theprocessor of the e-reader device 400 may interpret contact separationfrom each of the touch sensing regions 432A and 434A as redundant (e.g.,the same type of) inputs.

With reference to FIG. 4B, the pair of touch sensing regions 432B-434Bare provided on the back surface 301 of the housing 310. For someembodiments, the touch sensing regions 432B-434B may be activated by auser's index fingers (and/or other fingers) when operating the device400 with two hands. For example, while gripping the device 400 with bothhands, touch sensing region 434B may be in contact with a user's leftindex finger and touch sensing region 432B may be in contact with theuser's right index finger. Each of the touch sensing regions 432B and434B may be response to contact-separation inputs by the user. Asdescribed above, a processor of the e-reader device 400 may interpretcontact separation from each of the touch sensing regions 432B and 434Bas a particular type of input. For example, releasing contact with touchsensing region 434B (e.g., by lifting the user's left index finger) maytrigger a first type of input (e.g. backward page transition), whilereleasing contact with touch sensing region 432B (e.g., by lifting theuser's right index finger) may trigger a second type of input (e.g.,forward page transition). For other embodiments, the processor of thee-reader device 400 may interpret contact separation from each of thetouch sensing regions 432B and 434B as redundant inputs.

For some embodiments, the touch sensing regions 432A, 434A, 432B, and434B can be equipped to detect multiple simultaneous touches. Forexample, with reference to an example of FIG. 4A, a processor of thee-reader device 400 can process input from the touch sensing regions432A and 434A in order to be responsive to (or distinctly detect) a usersimultaneously releasing both the of the touch sensing regions 432A and434A (e.g., by lifting both of the user's thumbs, concurrently). Theuser may lift both thumbs off the touch sensing regions 432A and 434A,concurrently, as a form of input. For example, the concurrent releasecan be interpreted as a specific type of input (e.g., multiple-contactseparation) or as a general input (e.g., contact separation).

It should be noted that some embodiments may include more or fewer touchsensing regions than those shown with respect to FIGS. 4A-4B. Forexample, in some embodiments, the e-reader device 400 may include onlyone pair of touch sensing regions 432A-434A or 432B-434B. In otherembodiments, the e-reader device 400 may include both pairs of touchsensing regions 432A-434A and 432B-434B. While the example of FIGS.4A-4B illustrate two distinct pairs of touch sensing regions 432A-434Aand 432B-434B on the surface of the housing 310, variations can providefor other surface of the housing 310 to be integrated with touch sensorsin order to enable touch-sensitivity at any location of, for example,the front, back, and/or sides of the device 400.

Page Transition Functionality

FIG. 5 illustrates an e-reader system 500 for displaying paginatedcontent, according to one or more embodiments. An e-reader system 500can be implemented as, for example, an application or device, usingcomponents that execute on, for example, an e-reader device such asshown with examples of FIGS. 1, 2, 3A-3C, and 4A-4B. Furthermore, ane-reader system 500 such as described can be implemented in a contextsuch as shown by FIG. 1, and configured as described by an example ofFIG. 2, FIGS. 3A-3C, and/or FIGS. 4A-4B.

In an example of FIG. 5, a system 500 includes a network interface 510,a viewer 520 and page transition logic 540. As described with an exampleof FIG. 1, the network interface 510 can correspond to a programmaticcomponent that communicates with a network service in order to receivedata and programmatic resources. For example, the network interface 510can receive an e-book 511 from the network service that the userpurchases and/or downloads. E-books 511 can be stored as part of ane-book library 525 with memory resources of an e-reader device (e.g.,see memory 250 of e-reader device 200).

The viewer 520 can access page content 513 from a selected e-book,provided with the e-book library 525. The page content 513 cancorrespond to one or more pages that comprise the selected e-book. Theviewer 520 renders one or more pages on a display screen at a giveninstance, corresponding to the retrieved page content 513. The pagestate can correspond to a particular page, or set of pages that aredisplayed at a given moment.

The page transition logic 540 can be provided as a feature orfunctionality of the viewer 520. Alternatively, the page transitionlogic 540 can be provided as a plug-in or as independent functionalityfrom the viewer 520. The page transition logic 540 can signal page stateupdates 545 to the viewer 520. The page state update 545 can specify apage transition, causing the viewer 520 to render a new page. Inspecifying the page state update 545, the page transition logic 540 canprovide for single page turns, multiple page turns or chapter turns. Thepage state update 545 for a single page turn causes the viewer 520 totransition page state by presenting page content 513 that is next insequence (forward or backward) to the page content that is beingdisplayed. The page state update 545 for a multi-page turn causes theviewer 520 to transition page state by presenting page content 513 thatis a jump forward or backward in sequence from the page state underdisplay. Likewise, the page state update 545 for a chapter turn causesthe viewer 520 to transition page state by presenting page content 513that is a next chapter in sequence (forward or backward) to a chapter ofa current page state. Accordingly, the page state update 545 can signifya transition value representing the page state that is to be displayednext (e.g., one page transition or ten page transition) or a transitiontype (e.g., page versus chapter transition).

According to some embodiments, the page transition logic 540 can beresponsive to different kinds of input, including an input action whichsignifies page turns (or page transitions) 517. The page turn input 517can include, for example, single page turns, mufti-page turns and/orchapter turns. The type of page turn input 517 can be determined fromthe type of input provided. For example, the page turn input 517 can beprovided by the user interacting with one or more touch sensing regionsof the e-reader device, wherein contact separation (e.g., fingerliftoff) from the touch sensing regions can be interpreted as singlepage turns. For some embodiments, the duration of the separation (e.g.,how long the user holds a finger off or away from a touch sensingregion) can be interpreted as a multi-page turn or chapter input. Stillfurther, action such as a concurrent release (e.g., multi-fingerliftoff) from multiple touch sensing regions can be interpreted as achapter transition.

In response to receiving a page turn input 517, the page transitionlogic 540 signals the page state update 545 to the viewer 520. Theviewer 520 then updates the page content 513 to reflect the changerepresented by the page state update 545 (e.g., single page transition,multi-page transition, or chapter transition).

Methodology

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of operating an e-reader device based oncontact-separation inputs, according to one or more embodiments. Indescribing an example of FIG. 6, reference may be made to componentssuch as described with FIGS. 2-4 for purposes of illustrating suitablecomponents for performing a step or sub-step being described.

With reference to an example of FIG. 2, the e-reader device 200 maydetect a first user interaction with one or more touch sensing regionson a device housing (610). The first user interaction may correspondwith a user contact (e.g., touch) with the one or more touch sensingregions. For example, the processor 210 can receive inputs 231 from thehousing sensor components 240. The placement of the sensor components240 may be configured for one-handed operation (e.g., as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 3A-3C) or for two-handed operation (e.g., asdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 4A-4B). More specifically, theplacement of the sensor components 240 may coincide with one or moretouch sensing regions on the surface of the device housing.

For some embodiments, the processor 210, in executing the detectionlogic 213, may monitor for user contact with a touch sensing region ofthe housing (612). For example, with reference to FIG. 3A, the detectionlogic 213 may register a user contacting (e.g., placing a finger on) thetouch sensing region 330A of the housing 310. For other embodiments, theprocessor 210, in executing the detection logic 213, may monitor foruser contact with multiple touch sensing regions (614). For example,with reference to FIG. 4A, the detection logic 213 may register usercontact with both touch sensing regions 432A and 434A, concurrently.

The e-reader device 200 may subsequently detect a second userinteraction with the one or more touch sensing regions on the devicehousing (620). The second user interaction may correspond with a contactseparation (e.g., release) from the one or more touch sensing regions.For example, the processor 210 may execute the contact separation logic215 to process additional input 231 received via the housing sensorcomponents 240. The contact separation logic 215 may detect a contactseparation from the one or more touch sensing regions if any of thepreviously registered fingers are no longer in contact with thecorresponding touch sensing regions. More specifically, the contactseparation logic 215 may detect a contact separation if the number offingers making contact with the one or more touch sensing regions (e.g.,as detected by the detection logic 213) is less than the number offingers registered with those same regions.

For some embodiments, the processor 210, in executing the contactseparation logic 215, may detect a contact separation from a touchsensing region of the housing (622). For example, with reference to FIG.3A, the detection logic 213 may detect a user releasing contact with(e.g., lifting user's finger from) the touch sensing region 330A of thehousing 310. For other embodiments, the processor 210, in executing thecontact separation logic 215, may detect a multi-contact separation fromone or more touch sensing regions (624). For example, with reference toFIG. 4A, the detection logic 213 may detect a user releasing contactwith the touch sensing region 432A (e.g., by lifting the user's rightthumb) and/or releasing contact with the touch sensing region 434A(e.g., by lifting the user's left thumb). Still further, the detectionlogic 213 may detect the user releasing contact with both touch sensingregions 432A and 434A, concurrently.

The e-reader 200 may then execute a set of instructions based on thesecond user interaction (630). For example, the processor 210 may carryout one or more operations on the device 200 upon detecting a contactseparation with one or more touch sensing regions of the housing.Various operations may be carried out in response to the user liftingoff one or more fingers from the housing. For some embodiments, theprocessor 210 may power on or power off the display screen (632). Forother embodiments, the processor 210 may launch or close a particularapplication (634). Still further, for some embodiments, the processor210 may invoke or close a system menu or sub-menu (636).

In yet another embodiment, the processor 210 may change the e-book pagepresented on the display screen to a new page, for example, based on amagnitude and/or type of the user input (638). For example, withreference to FIG. 3A, the processor 210 may interpret the duration ofcontact separation from the touch sensing region 330A as a magnitude ordegree associated with a corresponding page transition. Further, withreference to FIG. 4A, a contact separation from the touch sensing region434A may be interpreted as a backward page transition, while a contactseparation from the touch sensing region 432A may be interpreted as aforward page transition.

Although illustrative embodiments have been described in detail hereinwith reference to the accompanying drawings, variations to specificembodiments and details are encompassed by this disclosure. It isintended that the scope of embodiments described herein be defined byclaims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that aparticular feature described, either individually or as part of anembodiment, can be combined with other individually described features,or parts of other embodiments. Thus, absence of describing combinationsshould not preclude the inventor(s) from claiming rights to suchcombinations.

1. A computing device comprising: a display assembly including a screen;a housing that at least partially circumvents the screen so that thescreen is viewable; a first touch sensor provided with a first portionof the housing; and a processor provided within the housing, theprocessor operating to: detect a first user interaction with the firsttouch sensor, wherein the first user interaction corresponds with a usermaking contact with the first touch sensor; and detect a second userinteraction with the first touch sensor, wherein the second userinteraction corresponds with the user releasing contact for a predefinedduration of separation with the first touch sensor; and execute a firstset of instructions in response to detecting the second userinteraction.
 2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first setof instructions include instructions for changing a state of the screenof the display assembly.
 3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein thefirst set of instructions include instructions for powering on orpowering off the display assembly.
 4. The computing device of claim 1,wherein the first set of instructions include instructions for launchingor closing an application.
 5. The computing device of claim 1, whereinthe first set of instructions include instructions for invoking orclosing a system menu.
 6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein thefirst set of instructions include instructions for performing a pagetransition operation.
 7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein thefirst touch sensor is provided on a sidewall of the housing.
 8. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the first touch sensor is providedon a back surface of the housing.
 9. The computing device of claim 1,wherein the first touch sensor is provided on a front surface of thehousing.
 10. The computing device of claim 1, further comprising: asecond touch sensor provided with a second portion of the housing. 11.The computing device of claim 10, wherein the processor is to further:detect a third user interaction with the second touch sensor, whereinthe third user interaction corresponds with the user making contact withthe second touch sensor; and detect a fourth user interaction with thesecond touch sensor, wherein the fourth user interaction correspondswith the user releasing contact with the second touch sensor.
 12. Thecomputing device of claim 11, wherein the processor is to further:execute a second set of instructions in response to detecting the fourthuser interaction.
 13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein thefirst set of instructions include instructions for performing a forwardpage transition, and wherein the second set of instructions includeinstructions for performing a backward page transition.
 14. A method foroperating a computing device, the method being implemented by one ormore processors and comprising: detecting a first user interaction witha first touch sensor provided with a housing of the computing device,wherein the first user interaction corresponds with a user makingcontact with the first touch sensor; and detecting a second userinteraction with the first touch sensor, wherein the second userinteraction corresponds with the user releasing contact for a predefinedduration of separation with the first touch sensor; and executing afirst set of instructions in response to detecting the second userinteraction.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first set ofinstructions include instructions for changing a state of the screen ofthe display assembly.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first setof instructions include instructions for performing a page transitionoperation.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: detecting athird user interaction with a second touch sensor provided with thehousing of the computing device, wherein the third user interactioncorresponds with the user making contact with the second touch sensor;and detecting a fourth user interaction with the second touch sensor,wherein the fourth user interaction corresponds with the user releasingcontact with the second touch sensor.
 18. The method of claim 15,further comprising: executing a second set of instructions in responseto detecting the fourth user interaction.
 19. The method of claim 16,wherein the first set of instructions include instructions forperforming a forward page transition, and wherein the second set ofinstructions include instructions for performing a backward pagetransition.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium that storesinstructions, that when executed by one or more processors, cause theone or more processors to perform operations that include: detecting afirst user interaction with a first touch sensor provided with a housingof a computing device, wherein the first user interaction correspondswith a user making contact with the first touch sensor; and detecting asecond user interaction with the first touch sensor, wherein the seconduser interaction corresponds with the user releasing contact for apredefined duration of separation with the first touch sensor; andexecuting a first set of instructions in response to detecting thesecond user interaction.